JOYFUL STEWARDS ACROSS EUROPE

JOYFUL STEWARDS ACROSS EUROPE

Autobahn in Germany l 10.25.09

While slicing through the German countryside on the smooth and fast autobahn as the sounds of Clarity by Jimmy Eat World provide the soundtrack, I’m finally able to give my mind a rest from the fanatical past weeks. This has been one epic journey marked by excitement, anticipation, sometimes weariness but best of all – A LOT OF GLORY! This has been the one constant guarantee sustaining us night after night! We are truly living on the fumes of His Presence and I absolutely love it! I assure you that most people in the world will not travel more in the next 4 years like we have in the past 4 weeks. I take full responsibility for the crazy schedule as I’m known for packing in as much as possible in the short time we have (just ask anyone that has traveled with me!). During this Burn Euro Tour, I totally forgot to think that we would end up literally leading 30 days of nonstop meetings!! There was so much ground to cover and so many contacts, people and beautiful communities to connect with to stoke the fire that it didn’t even register how intense it would actually play out. I’m learning quickly that not everyone is acclimated to the lifestyle I’ve been living for the past 3 years : )!

But we’re all doing incredibly well and it’s been absolutely gorgeous weather in Germany (quite a change from the UK!) the past few days! After the morning meeting yesterday and an incredible time again with Jesus and His German bride, we were able to take a much needed Shabbat rest and lay on the perfectly manicured green grass in the downtown square of Stuttgart and just soak in the ambiance of Europe. I honestly began to realize that I have never been so filled with hunger, passion and perseverance for this season of life! Many people think that 30 worship blowout/impartation meetings in a row would make you sick of church – but it’s had quite the opposite effect on me! EVERY SINGLE NIGHT GOD HAS DONE SOMETHING TOTALLY FRESH AND NEW!! It’s NEVER been the same. It’s NEVER been predictable. And it’s NEVER been boring! I think I’m just totally addicted to pursuing God with friends and waiting in anticipation like a little kid for what He will do next.

I believe God is raising up an expectant, childlike, hungry bride in this hour that treats every moment of her life as a gift from above. I mean this in the most non-cliché, cheesy way possible. Often times I meet so many people in ministry that really hate what they are doing (mostly people in western cultures) and are functioning in their gifting simply because its all they know how to do or their only means of financial stability (they’re in the wrong business for that anyway!). This brings so much grief and pain to my heart! I wish I could just drop them in the deep Himalayan Mountains for a year with our Nepali Burn leaders for the experience that would mark them. They currently live in the third poorest country in the world in the middle of extreme upheaval, strife and drought. At any moment in the day, a “strike” could be called that would bring the entire country to a standstill. Literally all businesses, schools, roads, cars and everything shuts down until there is a resolution between the Maoists and the government (which can take many days or even weeks). Electricity is the most inconsistent of any country I’ve been to (including Africa) and the “broadband” Internet is more like old school AOL delayed dialup. Imagine trying to mobilize churches, worship leaders and people to BURN night and day in a place like this! Their job is insanely difficult – a true labor of love for which they get little to no earthly recognition for. Not to mention they are working tirelessly to raise five orphans they rescued from the street as they must feed, clothe, school and bring them into this life of God’s Presence we are all meant to live. But the most beautiful thing about these hero’s of the faith – They ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have a smile on their face and enjoy the journey! Not one single person I know can “out-smile” or carry more joy than these guys!! It’s truly the most humbling thing you’ll encounter.

Sorry to get on that soapbox for a minute – but I feel like God is releasing such a grace on these upcoming leaders all over the world to truly LOVE what God has called them to do. Life is too short to live with regrets, excuses and bad attitudes! When we walk through life with grateful hearts and joyful attitudes at the task before us – we actually DEMAND a greater blessing and increase in our lives as sons and daughters of God. God is looking for “joyful stewards” in this hour of darkness, gloom, depression and fear and we must rise to the occasion!!

It even says about Jesus when confronted with the price of giving His life for the redemption of mankind.

“…for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross”

Hebrews 12:2

Let me backup to the last night in the UK for a quick recap and then move forward to what has happened in Germany thus far. We spent the last night of three weeks in the UK with the Guildford Boiler Room and 24-7 Prayer crew outside London. It was so humbling to come serve and pour out under such a strong foundation of prayer that men like Pete Grieg and others have built there. We were all blown away by the passion for the nation these guys carried and their fervency to see an awakening come swiftly! We experienced an incredible time in God’s Presence together and we really had the chance to share our hearts for this season of unity we are entering into and how much we need each other to complete the task. We ended the night with praying and prophesying over each other and it honestly felt like family! BURN 24-7 and 24-7 Prayer and forever connected in this quest and we will be working together, sharing resources and spending a lot more time with each other in the future.

When we landed in Frankfurt, Germany, I had such an overwhelming and familiar “homey” feeling come over me. Last year and for my birthday, my wife traced my family lineage back to the motherland of Germany including the towns, regions and places my great grandfather and beyond were born and raised in. I guess I feel I have some serious godly heritage and authority in this nation since my roots are so deep here. Our first night in Giessen was incredible! The place was packed with youth and many that have been apart of the foundations of BURN GERMANY since its initial launch last November! These emerging BURN leaders are scattered all over the nation but gathered for this first night and it was electric! The past two nights we have been in Ludwigsburg in a church literally on a hill overlooking the city! Our times of worship were really incredible and we even took the entire group outside to worship as the sun bowed low on the city below!! It was one of those moments I’ll never forget and truly moved people out of their traditional box and outside into His glory!!

We are now on a 6-hour journey to the infamous and long awaited town of Herrnhut nestled in the hills on the border of Poland and Chec Republic. This tiny village was the birthplace of arguably the most powerful and far reaching prayer and worship movement of all time. The Moravians ignited a 120 year long prayer meeting led by Count Zinzendorf that launched a massive movement and changed the face of the planet forever! We have visited the graves and grabbed the mantles of St. Cuthbert, Evan Roberts, Smith Wigglesworth and now, we saved the best for last!! We are convening on this obscure place with our Fire and Fragrance team to grab this mantle on behalf of a gernation and will stay in one of the fastest growing YWAM bases in the world (based in a castle). More updates and good stuff to come!!

After a few days in Herrnhut, we will launch the BURN IN BERLIN!!!! Stay tuned and make sure to check out the latest videos on the BURN youtube channel or facebook!

Sean and Burn Euro Team